Testimonials

Alex recently helped to fill a VERY HARD to fill role within Finance. He was excellent, understood the business and culture and submitted good candidates. Very efficient and didn't swamp me with CVs!

Would definitely recommend

Carina Barclay, Recruitment Business Partner at esure, Reigate.

The team at Grafton Banks Finance stand out for all the right reasons, and in a saturated market they know exactly what to do to 'get it right'. Being able to strike exactly the right balance between collaborative and consultative they really take the time to understand you, your business and how they can best support your needs. I've always appreciated the open, honest and straightforward approach taken by all the Consultants I have worked with. I know I can discuss a brief with them and feel 100% confident that there is hard work going on behind the scenes, they also manage to strike the right balance between keeping us in the loop versus just getting on with it. They've maintained great service and delivery through a number of clients, functions and locations that I've supported with. The candidates that come through from Grafton Banks are ALWAYS a cut above the rest - I don't know how they do it! I would have no hesitation in recommending them to other customers.

Recruitment Business Partner at Kimberly-Clark, Brighton & Reigate

Alex at Grafton Banks Finance met with me to take a detailed brief on the CFO role to support the job description. I was very pleased with the quality of the candidates that were identified. Alex kept me posted throughout the process and in a refreshingly 'light touch' way compared to other recruiters who are largely disrespectful that there is a 'day job' to do as well. The recruitment process with Grafton Banks was very smooth, straightforward and business-like. I was very happy with the outcome too.

CEO of Bolero International, Hersham

I like working with Paul at Grafton Banks, he has an excellent understanding of the candidate skill sets that I am looking for. I find the approach at Grafton Banks professional and flexible to put us in contact with some great candidates. I feel Paul is very proactive in searching for the best candidates in the market.

Jez Robinson - Business Performance Finance Lead at Southern Water in Worthing

I have used Alex's company to help with my recruitment and fill a position I had trouble filling. Alex was attentive and listened to my requirements. He was punctual with meeting deadlines as well as making sure he kept in contact with me at key points through the process. I would definitely use Alex again for any recruitment needs.

Adam Thorogood, EMEA Reporting Team Lead, Kimberly-Clark, Reigate

Alex and I had a detailed chat about the role. He understood the role, responsibilities and the experience required to do the job.

I must say that my inbox was not bombarded with numerous CVs (this is what was generally done by the other recruiters). Instead I was only given 2 or 3 focused CVs and the candidates came across very positively in the interview. This shows that Grafton Banks did their home work. Grafton Banks kept in touch well and feed back from the candidates was given to us in a timely fashion.

Finance Manager - Utilities Company - Sussex

Grafton Banks Finance always demonstrated an understanding of the vacancy and requirements, asking pertinent and relevant questions where appropriate.

Excellent demonstrable history of sending very suitable candidates who both match the brief and cultural fit within the client environment. Furthermore Grafton Banks Finance provided background information not detailed within candidates CV.

The level of communication was excellent and they always maintained a good level of communication and provided updates on candidates availability and any changes effecting it. They always provided insight where asked and are very knowledgeable within their field. I have always found Grafton Banks Finance to be an excellent provider of interim resource, effective and a pleasure to deal with. (July 2010)

Martin Thomson - Consultant at Resource Management - Working on Behalf of Hastings Direct in Bexhill.

Grafton Banks Finance were very appreciative of the level of detail we provided in order to find the right candidates. There was also a desire to meet face to face in order to ensure that the brief was fully understood. We found the right candidate from the first batch of potential candidates. This was a real benefit in that the position was secured quickly and time was not wasted in selection and interviewing processes. Contact was regular but not imposing, striking the right balance. Questions and negotiations were handled in a calm, professional and friendly manner which was very much appreciated. I would definitely recommend Grafton Banks Finance. They develop a strong partnership with the client that is often missing with larger agencies. The outcome was a quick, positive result for all concerned.

Grafton Banks are one of the few recruitment companies who recognise that company (cultural) fit is as important as the qualifications and experience necessary to do the role. All the staff I have recruited via them in the past 4 years are still with our company today with some already progressing to more senior roles in the group. The team there are small enough that I feel I can speak to any of them as all our equally knowledgeable about me individually, our company and our industry. I also appreciate not getting mailshotted with random candidates. An all-round professional team who bring the rare element of personality to the recruitment process!

Claire Dillon, Finance Director at Study Group, Brighton.

Alex has helped us fill several vacancies and has a good track record of success. He is always responsive, diligent and professional.

Ian Dew, CFO at Volution Group

Grafton Banks have helped us source a number of employees in our Finance team. Their approach has given us confidence that they represent our company in the right manner with their candidates, and their continued success in placements shows their understanding of our needs, culture and department. I'd recommend them to any firm.

Jonathan Wickes - Recruitment Manager at Just in Reigate

We worked with Alex to source a suitable candidate for an important role in our Finance team. He quickly understood our demanding brief and the shortlist of candidates was delivered to us with an honest assessment. We were impressed with the organisation and he communicated professionally at all stages of the process. We would work with him again if the need arose.less

Financial Controller from Redhill based Manufacturing Company

Mark at Grafton Banks Finance gained a very good understanding of the requirements of the role by meeting face to face to fully understand the business. The candidates presented were relevant to the role and Mark was open with his assessment of each. He kept in contact throughout, meeting the right balance in doing so and was always available regarding any queries, ensuring a successful conclusion was reached. I would happily recommend Grafton Banks Finance.

Grafton Banks Finance quickly gathered an understanding of our requirements and responded quickly with a good shortlist of candidates. They managed the process efficiently and we are pleased with the successful result. July 2015

Clifford Hurst, Finance Director of Zotefoams plc, Croydon

Grafton Banks have a good understanding of our business built up over several engagements and quickly grasp our requirements for specific roles. Pre-selection is good and we are only presented with appropriate candidates. Grafton Banks provide a high level of proactive and personalised service and we trust their advice on candidates.

Group CFO of £160m turnover Manufacturing Company in West Sussex.

All achieved by spending very little time on the initial discussions, demonstrating a high level of efficiency. I received a few sets of CV's from Grafton Banks Finance as per agreed requirements. All of them being of interest and maintaining a correct balance. This really helped with the selection process by avoiding time consuming review of non relevant CVs. The level of contact was excellent, 100% availability and very friendly approach. I received very good support on all matters related to the selection process. Just to thank, especially Alex, for the support he provided me with the recruitment of two team members. I needed the process completed in a very short period of time due to various business needs. My targets were more than achieved.

Marta Valmeseda - Kimberley Clark, Brighton.

Grafton Banks Finance exhibited an excellent understanding of the job specification and the key skills that we were looking for.

We had 6-8 candidates and proceeded with interviews for most of these. There were 4 good candidates, which I felt was a high percentage and it was tough to choose between them. I think the balance was good between keeping informed without being intrusive - if I was in the market for a job I would know that Grafton Banks Finance was on top of the potential employers! The process worked very smoothly from my side, interviews were scheduled quickly and if changes to times were required this was done immediately - great customer service. I would definitely use Grafton Banks Finance again, you have saved me a lot of time and effort and provided me with a number of excellent candidates, one of whom we have employed and is working out really well for us. (September 2010)

Tim Coope, Finance Director - Study Group UK Ltd, Brighton.

Grafton Banks Finance had a good understanding of the requirements of the vacancy and the candidates presented were mostly relevant. There was a
very good level of contact and a quick response to all our questions, addressing quickly any concerns.

All Grafton Banks staff have been professional, friendly and responsive throughout and have helped Quadrant through a very difficult transition in the Finance function.

Jeff Sandiford - MD of Quadrant Group Limited, Burgess Hill

Following our discussions and ‘request list' Alex quickly provided a tailored shortlist of credible CFO candidates which enabled the business to progress through to interviews and offer stage within a short time frame, with the business appointing the successful CFO within a month of the brief. All parties were delighted with the end result!

Paul Nelson. CFO of Montreux Capital Management in Hampton Court

Matt listened to our requirements over a telephone call and that we required an experienced temporary Credit Controller who could come straight in and hit the ground running. I was sent a list of suitable candidates and after looking through only three CVs, found the perfect candidate who started with us the next week. Matt stayed in contact and kept me informed right up until the candidate started, he also came in to see me at the office a couple of weeks after. Matt has been available with any queries that have arisen throughout the placement and has been extremely helpful. I would just like to say how impressed I have been with Matt and Grafton Banks professionalism.

Jodi Blaker at Focus Group, Southwick

Grafton Banks Finance listened to the briefing carefully and asked a number of pertinent questions, particularly to gain an understanding of the relative importance of our priorities where the more complex roles required a range of different skills. Grafton Banks Finance undoubtedly understand the local market and how to identify suitable candidates. They were extremely responsive, quickly identifying high quality candidates for each of the roles we were recruiting for. For a number of roles we were in the fortunate position of having several excellent people to select from. Contact was focused by well-timed emails or calls to ensure we maintained the momentum and managed to complete all the recruitment by the target date.
Grafton Banks Finance really understood the brief and this allowed them to have useful input into discussions around individual candidates and their suitability for particular roles. It was a pleasure to work with Grafton Banks Finance on this assignment. They have sourced high quality candidates who are a great fit with the existing team and helped ensure a smooth transition of work from London to Reigate.

Steven Hooke - Head of Business Finance at Just in Reigate

The sourcing of relevant candidates for our vacancy was excellent as was the consultants level of contact and ability to keep us informed. I was very satisfied with the service.

Antonia Skinner - HR Manager at Lactalis McLelland Ltd, Redhill

We employed the services of Grafton Banks Finance when we were looking for an Interim Financial Controller and an Interim Finance Director. Emma met with us and quickly grasped what we needed through asking intelligent and informed questions about the role and how it fitted into our organisation.
Emma provided outstanding candidates for both roles and we were able to make two excellent hires very quickly. Emma keeps in contact regularly without being pushy. Though no issues arose I am confident that they would have been dealt with efficiently and effectively. I find that Grafton Banks Finance offers an extremely professional service combined with an approach that is very straightforward and honest.

James O'Loughlin. Recruitment Manager at Rydon Group, Forrest Row.

Once we had met face to face, Grafton Banks understood my requirements well. Previous to that, I felt that I was being offered resource without the experience I was looking for. The response was quick and I had one suitable candidate. I was kept well informed and there was a quick turnaround of references.

Group Financial Controller - Research & Manufacturing Company in West Sussex

A very good performance. Grafton Banks Finance came to the office to discuss the role and understand the requirements of the vacancy and fit with the existing team. They provided details of 3 relevant candidates, 2 of which made the shortlist of 4 selected for interviews from internal applicants and another agency, leading to a successful appointment.

The level of contact was good and they called at key action times and kept me up to date. They also provided information at the last minute of a newly available candidate, although not suitable. They offered a quick response to queries and fast turnaround on providing references and forms needed to finalise the appointment. High level of personal service which I would recommend. (June 2010)

John Savage - Business Planning Manager, EDF Energy, Hove

Grafton Banks Finance were very good at understanding our particular vacancy and requirements and were keen to understand exactly type of person that we were looking for.

They forwarded a strong selection of candidates. Very good, with all developments as recruitment process progressed and in relaying information to and from selected candidate. Grafton Banks Finance always responded promptly with questions we had and also in relaying answers back to the candidates. I was very pleased with the service provided and relationship built with Grafton Banks. This resulted in an excellent candidate being recruited. Many thanks. (May 2011)

Finance Manager of Education organisation based in Brighton.

Emma took the time to understand the role and most importantly the type of candidate we were looking for, both from a technical and personal perspective. The relevance of her questions and nature of our discussions clearly demonstrated that she understood our needs. Despite using some of the large recruitment firms at the same time as Grafton Banks, it is a credit to Emma that all of the candidates we brought back for second interview were from Grafton Banks. Throughout the process an appropriate level of communication was always maintained - attentive without being intrusive.

Matthew Marshall - Finance Director of Le Lien Ltd, Horley.

I have always held in high regard the way Alex and his team at Grafton Banks conducts business, as since I've known him he has always practised the values of tenacity, honesty, creativity and professionalism. Alex's business style is a perfect blend of technology and social media, combined with old-school networking and understanding his clients and candidates requirements. I highly recommend working with Alex, and I look forward to continuing doing so for many more years.